Page 19 of Pump Fake

“If we must,” she said.

Ugh, I couldn’t stand her. I didn’t miss that at all. We used to butt heads all the time when I was living with my parents. “I’m concerned about your drinking. You need to pull yourself together. And we’re not rich anymore. Stop buying designer clothing with money you don’t have.” I couldn’t figure out where she got it from. And if she did have any, it should go to Ser’s education.

“The clothing isn’t the problem…” Something that looked like fear flashed through Veronica’s eyes. “People are following me. I-I think your father had shady business dealings with unsavory men.”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s got to be the booze feeding your paranoia. Or maybe the feds are curious about the money you’re dropping on designer clothing?” I couldn’t talk to Mom when she was like that. I didn’t know why I thought I should try in the first place.

“Chardonnay is not booze.” Veronica spit her statement as if I’d uttered the foulest of accusations.

I didn’t let her finish. “Look. I have no idea what’s going on with you or what delusional fantasy you’re entertaining, but Serena is just a kid. She doesn’t deserve this craziness.” I turned on my heels and stormed out, letting the door slam behind me.

I spent the rest of Sunday mulling over what Veronica had said about unsavory characters. It was possible.Did I react too impulsively by dismissing her claims?It continued to bother me Monday until my classes at Fall Lake, then the ones I taught at the all-boys prep school, became enough of a distraction.

The dorm where Mallory and I lived was more of a suite for upperclassmen, which included a small living room, a kitchen,and two private bedrooms on either side. When I opened the front door, the smell of Thai food punched me in the face, or my stomach rather. My bag slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor beside the door, which closed with a loud click behind me.

Mal sat at the small table, the TV on in the background and a big grin curving her wide mouth. “Took you long enough.”

I dropped into a seat opposite her with a smile. “If I’d known you were ordering dinner, I wouldn’t have held back my problem student to talk to him.”

She grunted. “That kid still giving you issues?”

“Yes, but not as horribly as before.” I pulled the container Mal offered in front of me and opened it, eyes closing at the heavenly scent.

“You mean he hasn’t rigged another exploding ink pen or glued you to your chair again?”

“Don’t remind me. If he has another offense, I’ll probably be forced to go to the headmaster with an ultimatum.”

Mal bit into a shrimp from her hot and sour soup. “You could lose your job. You know firsthand how awful those schools can be. Money makes the rules, not the teachers.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

“Or.” A mischievous sparkle lit Mal’s eyes. “You could talk to his uncle.”

I scowled. “Ares? I already regret telling you everything.” But she wasn’t wrong. I swallowed a couple of bites from my identical dish. “I don’t know. It’s so weird now, and I probably won’t see him again anyway. It would be better if I talked with another family member instead.”

“Brie, you’re sleeping with the guy—who is so hot, by the way. Use your in, and get control of the young monster.”

I’d heard plenty from Mal about how I’d slept with Ares.Did we reenact the video? Was he just as dominant?She’d wanted details,and I’d given her some because it was honestly the hottest sex I’d ever had. But that was it. We’d had sex. Nothing more. No friendship or anything past that. Simply a one-night stand, and I wouldn’t be a stalker and try for round two. Nope. No way.But if he comes to me…That was another story—one I would be all over.

A loud knock sounded at our door, and I froze. For a second, déjà vu hit me hard because of how whoever it was had rapped their knuckles on the door. Mal shot me a concerned glance before getting up and answering it.

“Oh, hey.” Mal’s voice sounded weird—high-pitched and breathy.

So, not the FBI. I spun to see who it was and barely stifled a gasp—the universe had heard and answered me. Ares filled our doorway, and I completely understood my roommate’s reaction. He looked delicious, his hair still wet from showering and a soft smile curving his talented lips.

It wasn’t until I noticed the dry cleaning bag that I stood. “You didn’t have to do that.” I reached out to take the dress from him.

“Yeah, I did. You wouldn’t have looked like a homicide victim if I hadn’t spilled your wine all over you.”

“That had to be interesting.” Mal waved him farther in. “Want to join us? We have plenty of food.”

“He probably has lots of stuff to do.” I side-glared at Mal before facing Ares. “You don’t need to come in. And thanks for having my dress cleaned.”

A panty-dropping smirk transformed his face from breathtaking to bad-boy wicked. I almost fanned myself. I doubted he’d ever had trouble with women.

“I could eat, and it smells amazing in here. Is that Thai?”

“It sure is.” Mal pulled out a chair and pushed one of the unopened containers toward him. “Here you go.”

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